PREFACE. This volume completes the series originally contemplated. The Author's object has been to explain and inculcate those fundamental principles of the Christian virtues which, from their profundity, are least understood, but which most contribute to the perfecting of the human soul. The first volume, under the title of the Endowments of Man, establishes the doctrinal foundations of the Christian Virtues The second, under the title of the Groundwork of the Christian Virtues, treats chiefly of Christian Humility as being the receptive foundation of the other virtues. This third volume treats of Christian Patience as being the positive strength and disciplinary power of the soul. The sovereign virtue of charity is explained throughout the three volumes. In the production of the last volume, the Author has found much less assistance from the Fathers of the Church and the great spiritual writers than in the two previous ones. As a rule, they have limited their instructions to that side of the virtue which is exercised under sufferings ; and only a limited number of them, among whom I may mention St. Zeno, Tertullian, St. Gregory the Great, St. Bonaventure, and St. Catherine of Siena, have treated of that most important side of the virtue by which it gives strength and discipline to all the mental and moral powers, and perfection to all the virtues. One remark is due to the reader. The only solid way of explaining the virtues is by their principles and their mutual connections. But to do this effectually requires that the same principles be often repeated, as well to fix them in the mind as to show their connection with the practical details, and to give to those details greater light. In the preface to his translation of the famous treatise of Albert the Great, On adhering to God, Sir Kenelm Digby observes : "He often repeateth the same thing, but still with some addition and further explication of the matter, to inculcate it the deeper". CONTENTS. LECTURE I. The Work of Patience in the Soul 1 LECTURE II On the Nature and Object of Christian Patience 18 LECTURE III. On Patience as a Universal Virtue 41 LECTURE IV. On Christian Fortitude 60 LECTURE V. On the Patience of the Son of God 80 LECTURE VI. On Patience as the Discipline of the Soul 99 LECTURE VII. On Patience as the Perfecter of our Daily Duties 120 LECTURE VII. Encouragements to Patience 139 LECTURE IX. On the Gifts of the Holy Ghost 159 LECTURE X. On Prayer 184 LECTURE XI. On Patience in Prayer 208 LECTURE XII. On the Cheerfulness of Patience 232 Digitized by Google.

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